What's in a definition?

Which way to turn?

A lot is happening globally to address climate change. It's a hugely complex subject with many disciplines, sectors and activities. That makes it quite confusing - there are a lot of 'tech' solutions out there.

The classic cleantech, the wholesome greentech, then bluetech or marinetech, naturetech, sub-sectors such as biotech and agtech, and as many 'techs' as you can think of!

Our content and conversations here at konfab are going to be across the wider definition of climate 'tech' - there are a lot of definitions out there, and it seems no one has a definitive answer. There is also a lot of financial data attempting to summarise current trends - let's dip a toe in the water.

Here are some versions to consider:

NASDAQ

Climate tech refers to technologies and services that enable decarbonization of the global economy. Climate tech companies develop products and services that leverage these technologies to mitigate and adapt to climate change by removing existing carbon from the atmosphere, reducing future emissions or by increasing our resilience against the impacts of a changing climate. Since addressing climate change requires transformation across all sectors, climate tech companies span a wide variety of end markets and business models. Different stakeholders have different ways to define exactly what climate tech does and does not include, but subcategories generally converge around technologies that address the main sources of global emissions, as defined in the most recent IPCC report.

It's solid but not great and has ambiguity defined by sector stakeholders. 😕

You can read more on the NASDAQ scope and definition here, with some market analytics.

Short of time? Here are some highlights:

I'm quite surprised and very pleased NASDAQ flagged DAC and BECCS in that way. More on that topic, possibly another time. Let's jump over to

dealroom

Climate Tech refers to an array of technology solutions designed to address climate change and its environmental effects. This can be done by reducing GHG emissions or adapting our systems to environmental changes. Within the broad spectrum of climate tech, we find different types of technology, such as hardware, software, API, IoT, and biotech. Climate applications span a wide set of industries and sectors.

Pretty broad then. 🤔

You can read more on dealroom's climate tech summary here, with some useful and very detailed market analytics.

A quick look at a couple of data points here instead?

To round out a three, let's check in with:

Cleantech Group

Dipping into the taxonomy, scope of solutions and market sectors here. To refresh our perspective on the scale of what global change is required across so many disciplines.

The Cleantech Group Taxonomy | Cleantech Group

The Cleantech Group Taxonomy Cleantech Group’s proprietary taxonomy reflects our up-to-date view on companies that are cleantech and innovative, applying the original and…

Cleantech Group

It's complex - some highlights:

It's big and quite the piece of work. It needs to be, as we have seen there is a lot of money on the table and there needs to be a lot more.

Think of that taxonomy, and then the volume of startups and companies globally that come under it's structure. Then also consider the huge volume of startups not included as they aren't in the investment analytics phase yet. Just trying to make their way into eary stages of technology development, grant funding and hoping to secure future investment.

The scale is incredible across global markets. But it's still not enough, we must do more.

Does it matter?

No, the reality is it doesn't matter, at least not to us here today. Breaking down definitions of 'tech' and taxonomy helps reporting, analytics, government policies, trade and investment markets. For our purposes, the breakdown in our climate and all it's elements is the key - we need all of the solutions, well the good stuff anyway, whatever 'tech' label you want to give it.

It's clear from the numbers that we need massive global commitment to scale up our VC investment, private equity, public and long-term infrastructure finance and planning.

Essentially, whatever the 'tech' derivative, clean, green, marine etc. it's all climate tech. Usually focused on the same climate purpose and objective, and in our collective interest - as long as it contributes through a positive Life Cycle Assessment, high impact, quick timeframe, reduces GHG and supports our climate and sustainability goals.

I will be talking with experts and contributors to disciplines across the whole climate tech ecosystem. Increasing visibility and awareness to the great work, challenges and collaboration opportunities that exist. The quicker we can support and accelerate innovation and delivery, the quicker we can reach our climate goals.

Kane 🌱